Machine for preparing rolls of postage-stamps.



L. M. PARKHURST. MACHINE FOR PREPARING ROLLS 0F POSTAGE STAMPS.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 190B. 983,759. Patented Feb.7, 1911.

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l L. M. PARKHURST. MACHINE POR PREPARING ROLLS 0F POSTAGE STAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1908.

Patented Feb. 7, 191.1.

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L. M.PARKHURST.

MACHINE FOR PREPARING ROLLS 0F POSTAGE STAMPS.

. APPLICATION IIILED AUG. 14, 1908.

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, L. Mi PARKHURST. MACHINE PoR PREPARING ROLLS 0F POSTAGE STAMPS.

APPLIoA'rIoN FILED' AUG. 14 1908. 983,759. y f Patented Feb. 7, 1911.1.

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LAY'ION M. PARKI-IURST, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE PARKI-IURST COMPANY, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR PREPARING ROLLS OF POSTAGE-STAMPS.

Application filed August 14, 1908.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAYToN M. PARK- I-IUnsT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Preparing Rolls. of Postage-Stamps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to apparatus for aftixing together with precision and accuracy, sheets of stamps as prepared by the department of the United States Government in charge of such work. The stamps are formed from rectangular sheets of paper, there being a slight margin at the upper and lower edges of each sheet of paper, between it and the adjacent edges of the uppermost and lowermost transverse rows of stamps thereon, respectively.

Numerous demands exist for stamps in rolls containing a number of hundred stamps, the rolls being one or more stamps wide, as for example, rolls of stamps for use in various stamp vending machines. Up to the present time, so far as I am aware, in order to provide such rolls of stamps, hand labor has been employed to glue strips, a single stamp wide, together by overlapping the margins at the ends of the strips as the strips. are torn or cut from the sheets from which they were originally formed. Many inaccuracies occur in this hand method of forming rolls of stamps, particularly as there is quite certain to be variation in the overlapped joints, as made by hand, and this variation results in either lengthening or shortening a section of the roll, the case may be. There such a roll is placed in a vending machine gaged to deliver a certain length of stamp strip, usually one stamp at each operation, it will be readily understood that the inaccuracies in the proper joining together of the stamp strips which constitute the roll will result in the delivery from the vending apparatus of less or more than a complete stamp at some operations. In fact, many stamp vending machines which have sought to rely upon obtaining and using stamps prepared in rolls, have been rendered, up to the present time, impractical and practically useless because of inability to secure rolls of stamps in which each Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 7, 1911.

Serial No. 448,627.

stamp of the entire roll is uniformly spaced from its adjoining stamps in the roll.

My invention contemplates an apparatus capable of accurately and uniformly aflixing sheets of stamps as prepared by the Government, one to another, and to form the said sheets so afliXed into rolls of stamps, with the stamps in each roll uniformly spaced relatively to the adjacent stamps in the roll.

For the purposes of illustration I have hereinafter described and have shown in the drawings one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, looking at the machine from its opposite side to that shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical, central longitudinal section of a portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 Gt, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5%5, Fig. 3. Fig. G is a section illustrating a part of the stamp reeling mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating a portion of the stamp sheet feed mechanism. Fig. 8 is a section through the axes of the cutting rolls.

l indicates the main stationary frame of the machine. Preferably it is made up of two side plates or uprights 2, 3, a table 4 arranged at an inclination between said uprights, and suitable cross bars or braces 5 between the side plates.

G is a rocker frame. Preferably it consists of side plates 7 8, one on either side of the main frame and outside the uprights 2 and 3, to which they are pivotally connected at 9, a cross plate or platen l0 at the rear edges ci said side plates, and bracing barsv or ribs l0. The cross plate or platen l0 and ribs l0 may be formed integral with the side plates 7 and 8, if desired.

l1 is a motor, illustrated as an electric motor, supported by a suspension bracket l2 arranged between and secured to thc uprights 2, 3, of the main frame. The armature shaft 13 of the motor extends longitudinally of the machine.

le is a main drive shaft arranged in axial alinement with the armature shaft 13. It is supported in a combined bracket and gear boX l5 secured between the uprights 2, 3, and having a main drive shaftbearing 16.

and by a supporting plate 17 secured to the bracket and gear box 15 and having a bear ing` 18 for the main drive shaft.

19 is a fly wheel rigidly secured to the front end of the shaft 14. 1t is suitably connected to the armature shaft 13 by means of a coupling 20, comprising a hubbed disk 21 keyed to the shaft 13 and secured to the fly wheel 19 by means of bolts 22.

23 is a worm rigidly secured to the main drive shaft 14 within the gear box and bearing support 15. This worin is in mesh with a worm wheel 24 rigidly secured to the shaft 25 mounted transversely of the machine in bearings carried by the uprights 2, 3, respectively. This shaft 25 is a crank shaft and extends at either end beyond the outer walls of the uprights 2, 3.

28 are crank disks, each rigidly secured to an extended end of the crank shaft 25. Each of these crank disks carries a crank pin 29.

30 are connecting rods, one at either side of the machine, and each pivotally connected at its rear end to the crank pin 29 on the same side of the machine. The front ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected, each as indicated at 31, to the adj acent side of the rocker frame 6.

Extending rearwardly from the upper end of the main frame is a combined roller and cutter frame 32. Of this frame 33, 34 are side plates each rigidly secured to inwardly turned projections or lugs 35 on the uprights 2, 3. Brackets, as 36, extend up from the side plates 33 and 34, and to the upper ends of these brackets is pivoted a table 37 for supporting in horizontal position the stamp sheets to be fed onto the table 4. Also rotatably mounted in the side plates 33 and 34 are a female cutter roller 38 and a male cutter roller 39 for severing the sheets into strips of the width of one or more stamps. The feed roller 40 is mounted in and rotates between the plates 33 and 34 and-bears against the cutter 38 upon its under side. Upon the shaft 38 of the cutter roller 38 is fixed a gear 41 carrying pawls 42 adapted to engage with a ratchet 43. This ratchet 43 is fixed to a gear 43 loosely mounted vupon the shaft 38 and engaging with the rack 44, the said rack being movable and the gear 43 being rotatable with respect to the gear 41 and the cutter 38. The rack 44 is pivoted at one end to the rocker frame 6, as indicated at 45, so that as the rocker is moved back and forth the rack will reciprocate and will drive the ratchet 43. The ratchet in turn will drive the gear 41 and roller 38 when the rocker frame is moved in one direction, but the pawls will slip over the ratchet when the rack is moved in the other direction. The end of the rack opposite that which is pivoted to the rocker frame rests upon the rollers 50 and 51 which are rotatably mounted in the rocking or oscillating frame 52 which is mounted on a boss 34 on the plate 34.

The cutting roller 38 being driven as described, the other cutting roller 39 and the roller 40 are driven by gears 39 and 40, respectively, which engage with a gear 38a onthe opposite end of the shaft 38 to the gear 41. The end of the stamp sheet is inserted between the parts 58', 58a, of a longitudinally split shaft 58, which parts may be pivotally connected together at one end as indicated at 58h. 53, 54, indicate bearings in the plates 33 and 34, respectively. 1n the bearing 54 is mounted a shaft 55 carrying a gear 56 which is in mesh wit-h and is driven by the gear 41. The inner end of the shaft 55 is hollow and carries a socket piece 57 having a socket 57 to receive an end of the split shaft 58, and a conical head 57aM having frictional engagement with the walls of a conical recess at the inner end of the shaft 55. The bearing 53 contains a slidable but non-rotatable socket piece 59 which is adapted to receive the other end of the shaft 58, and which is spring pressed inwardly by a spring 60. A thumb screw 61 serves to adjust the tension of this spring. The socket piece 59 may be pushed outwardly when it is desired either to remove a split shaft from or insert it between the socket pieces 57 and 59. The spring 60 tends to hold the shaft 58 when it has been placed in the socket pieces 57 and 59 pressed between these pieces and with the conical end of the piece 57 in frictional engagement with its corresponding part in the shaft 55, so that when the latter is rotated it will tend to rotate the socket piece 57 and also the split shaft 58.

The plates 33 and 34 have notches 63 and 64 at their upper rear edges in which a split shaft 58 which has been sufficiently wound with stamps may be temporarily journaled after it has been removed from the socket pieces 57 and 59. The stamp strips will then extend across the space between the socket pieces 57, 59 and the wound roll, and an unwound split shaft may be caused to engage the strip, and the strip severed and the roll removed.

A stop 66 is provided at the lower edge of the stamp table 4 for limiting the movement of the sheets of stamps as they are fed onto the table by the operator. A. guard or shield 66 extends from the front edge of the feed table 37 downward over the table 4 and facilitates the hand feed of the stamp sheets from the feed table to the gluing table 4.

The platen 10 carried by the rocker frame 6 is adapted to be moved toward and away from the table 4. Near its lower end is mounted a rearwardly extending presser bar 68 for the purpose of engaging the lower edge of the stamp sheet which is placed upon the table 4. At either end of this presser bar 68 are forwardly extending guide rods 69 which slide in guides 70 and 71 upon the rocker frame. Between its guides each of the rods carries a coiled spring 72 and a lixed collar or washer 7 2. The springs tend to force the presser bar rearwardly until the stops 72 come against the guides 70. The function of this device is to hold the stamp sheet against the plate 4 as the platen 10 recedes. Otherwise, the adhesive might cause the stamp sheet to adhere to the platen or applying device and move with it. The adhesive is contained in a fountain 73 from which it is fed through a porous substance 74 which extends rearwardly through a duct 73l at the lower end of the fountain. The fountain 73 is secured in position on the rocker frame 6.

At the upper end of the platen 10 is a rearwardly extending transversely arranged bar or projection 75, which may be formed integrally with the platen, if desired. Its purpose is to engage the lapped edges of two adjacent stamp sheets and press them together with great force, so as to insure the formation of a strong oint between them by the combined action of the adhesive and the pressure applied.

In some instances it may be desired to transversely perforate the stamp sheets while they are in the machine, so as to facilitate the separation of adjoining stamps in each completed roll of stamps. This transverse perforating may be done in any well known and suitable manner. For the purpose of illustration I have shown, in Fig. 3, the platen 10 carrying transverse rows of rearwardly extending perforating points 76. The stamp table 74 is provided with corresponding rows of holes 77 which the perforating points enter as the platen approaches the stamp table. Again, in some instances, it may be desired to separate the stamps in adjacent convolutions on the roll from each other by means of oiled paper or material to which the adhesive on the stamps Vwill not readily adhere. Where this is desired, a roll 77 of the material to be used may be placed on a transversely arranged shaft 78 suitably mounted between the side walls 33, 34, of the supplemental frame 32.

In operation, a series of sheets of stamps as furnished by the Government, and preferably not perforated, is placed upon the stamp sheet table 37 the operator then directs the topmost of said sheets on to the stamp table 4. The lower edge of the sheet engages and rests against the stop 66. Power is applied through the motor 11 and the rocker frame 6 moves rearwardly carrying with it the adhesive fountain 73. The mucilage applying strip 74 engages the stamp sheet at its extreme lower edge closely adjacent to the stop 66 and as the platen next recedes from the stamp table, the motor may be stopped and the stamp sheet drawn upwardly and rearwardly by the operator, and directed between the lower end of the guard 66 and the upper end of the stamp table 4. Another stamp sheet may be then fed from the platform 37 to the table 4 and the operator arranges the two stamp sheets so that the one on the table 4 at its upper edge properly overlaps the lower edge of the first stamp sheet to which the adhesive has been applied. Then the platen is caused to move forward and the pressure bar engages and presses together with great force the overlapped edges of the two stamp sheets, while simultaneously the adhesive distributer 74 applies adhesive to the extreme lower edge of the stamp sheet on the stamp table. As the rocker frame next recedes from the stamp table, the first stamp sheet introduced into the machine is directed between the cutter rolls 38, 39, and between the cutter roll 38 and the feed roller 40. A sufficient number of stamp sheets are affixed together as just described until it is possible for the operator to direct the strips v formed from the lirst stamp sheet used between the parts of the split shaft 58. Until this is accomplished, the operator must necessarily use care and accuracy in seeing that the overlapping of the stamp sheets to be aflixed together is proper and uniform. Having once gotten the machine adjusted so that, when the rocker frame is at the forward end of the stroke, the stamp sheet extending from the upper end of the table 4 toward the cutter rolls, has its lower edge on the table 4 positioned to give the correct overlap between it and a stamp sheet positioned on the table 4, the apparatus may be operated indefinitely by simply feeding the stamp sheets to the stamp table. From time to time, when the desired number of stamps have been wound into each roll on the shaft 58, that shaft may be removed from the socket pieces 57 and 59, and moved rearwardly and inserted at either end in the adjacent recesses 63, 64, of the supplemental frame 32.` Another split shaft 58 may be caused to engage the strips of stamps in front of the wound shaft 58 in the recesses 63, 64, the strips may be severed between the two shafts, the unwound one inserted in the socket pieces 57, 58, and the operation of the machine continued. lhere it is desired to wind a strip of paper between adjacent con- Volutions of stamps in a roll, the paper from the roll 77 is directed between the cutter rolls 38, 39, the cutter roll 38 and the feed roll 40, and the parts of the split shaft 58. Then as the machine is operated, the paper from the reel 77 is unwound, cut into strips, and wound up between the convolutions of stamps on the shaft 58. Suitable lateral guides for the stamp sheets (not shown) may be provided on the table 4t, to insure that the stamp sheets as fed to the table one after the other will be arranged in exact alinement with each other. The conical friction clutch between the socket piece 57 and the driven shaft 55 allows for variation in relative speed of rotation of the split shaft 58 and the shaft 55, and permits of the slippage of the shaft 58 as the rolls of stamps thereon become larger in diameter so as to avoid a tension on the stamp strips which would tend to sever them.

To those skilled in the art of making appar'atus of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

That l claim is# 1. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning` a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying` means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp she-et and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning` means, and means for cutting the connect-ed sheets into strips of stamps.

2. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning` a stamp 'sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning` means a distance to'give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, means for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, and means for reeling the strips into rolls.

3, ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, intermittently actuated means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps.

il. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means,

means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, means `for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, means for reeling the strips into rolls, and means for intermittently actuating said stamp sheet moving means, said cutting means, and said reeling means.

5. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supplying adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between the said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for applying pressure to the overlapped edges of the stamp sheets.

G. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supplying adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between the said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, means for applying pressure to the overlapped edges4 ot the stamp sheets, means for cut-ting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, and means for reeling the stamps into rolls.

7. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a stamp sheet receiving table having a stop to position the stamp sheet thereon, means for applying an adhesive to the lower edge of the sheet while on said table, means for moving the stamp sheet a distance to leave a predetermined overlap between said sheet and the next sheet fed to the said stamp table, and means for applying pressure to the overlapped edges of the stamp sheets.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stamp sheet receiving table having a stop to position the stamp sheet thereon, means for applying an adhesive to the lower edge of the sheet while on said table, means for moving the stamp sheet a distance to leave a predetermined overlap between said sheet and the next sheet fed to th-e said stamp table, means for applying pressure to the overlapped edges of the stamp sheets, means for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, and means for reeling the strips into rolls.

9. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for positioning a stamp sheet, means ttor moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for sinniltaneously applying pressure to the overlapped edges of the two stamp sheets, and an adhesive to the tree margin of the last one of the said two stamp sheets ted to the said positioning` means.

10. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination of means for positioning a stamp sheet, means tor moving the stamp sheet from said positioningl means a distance to give a predetermined overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for applying pressure to the overlapped edges ofV the two stamp sheets, and an adhesive to the free margin ont the last one of the said t-wo stamp sheets fed to the said positioning means, and for pert'orating one of said stamp sheets.

11. In a machine Jfor connecting together sheets of paper substantially edge to edge, the combination of sheet positioning` means, means for moving a sheet Yfrom said sheet positioning means a distance to permit the overlapping thereof with the next adjacent sheet, means for applying an adhesive along one edge of a sheet of paper, mechanism for atiixing the overlapping edges of adjoining sheets together, and means for separating the adhesive applying mechanism from the sheet of paper after the said mechanism has engaged therewith.

12. In a machine ot the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying` means, means "for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, and means for reeling the strips into rolls, including relatively yieldable strip tension equalizing driving mechanism.

13. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a. distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, means for cutting the connected sheets into strips of stamps, and means for reeling the strips into rolls, including a split shaft between the parts ot which the inner ends of the stamp strips are inserted and held.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a table thereon for receiving and positioning stamp sheets, a rocker frame connected to the main frame, an adhesive applying mechanism carried by said rocher frame and arranged to apply an adhesive to a marginal edge of a stamp sheet on said table, means for moving a stamp sheet from said table a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said table, and means for simultaneously actuating said rocker frame and said stamp sheet moving mechanism.

15. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination of a main frame, a table thereon for receiving and positioning stamp sheets, a rocker trame connected to the main frame, an adhesive applying mechanism carried by said rocker frame and arranged to apply an adhesive to a marginal edge of a stamp sheet on said table, means for moving a sta-mp sheet from said table a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said table,

means carried by said rocker trame tor applying pressure to the overlapped edges of two stamp sheets, and means for simultaneously actuating said rocker frame and said stamp sheet moving mechanism.

16. 1n a machine of the class described, the combination oi means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a predetermined distance. to give a marginal overlap between the said sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and also for moving a web ot paper along with a stamp sheet, means for cutting the connected stamp sheets and web of paper into strips of stamps with strips of paper thereunder, and means for reeling the strips into rolls.

17. In a machine ot the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for supporting a roll `of paper, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a predetermined distance to give a marginal overlap between the said sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and also for moving a web of paper vfrom said roll supporting means along with a stamp sheet, means for cutting the connected stamp sheets and web of paper into strips ot' stamps with strips of paper thereunder, and means for reeling the strips into rolls.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for po-sitioning a stamp vsheet to be acted upon by said adhesive-applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positionino` means a distance to give a predeterminec marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for pressing the overlapping edges of adjoining sheets together.

19. ln a machine ot' the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive-applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet ted to said positioning means, and means for perforating each stamp sheet.

20. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the marginal-edge of a stamp sheet, means for positioning a stamp sheet to be acted upon by said adhesive applying means, means for moving the stamp sheet from said positioning means a distance to give a predetermined marginal overlap between said stamp sheet and the next stamp sheet fed to said positioning means, and means for moving a Web of paper along Wit-h the stamp sheets after they have been united.

2l. The combination of sheet positioning means, means for applying an adhesive along one edge of a` sheet oi' paper, means for aHxing adjoining sheets together, means for moving a sheet of paper from the sheet positioning means after it has been atlixed to an adjoining sheet, and means operating to separate the sheets of paper from the adhesive applying means.

22. The combination ot sheet positioning means, an oscillating frame, means Carried by the said frame for applying an adhesive along one edge of a sheet ot' paper, means for aiiixing adjoining sheets together, means for moving a sheet of paper from the sheet positioning means after it has been atlixed to an adjoining sheet, and automatic means operating to separate the sheets of paper- 

